News Release courtesy of the city of Phoenix
CITY OF PHOENIX CELEBRATES THE GRAND OPENING OF ENCANTO POINTE APARTMENTS
NEWS Contact: Alejandro Montiel 602-534-3443
The city of Phoenix Housing and Human Services departments, Native American Connections (NAC), the Arizona Department of Housing and Valley of the Sun United Way are celebrating the grand opening of Encanto Pointe apartments located at 4175 N. Ninth St.
Encanto Pointe is a 54-unit apartment housing complex serving homeless individuals through a “Housing First” model, with a primary focus on helping the chronically homeless find permanent, supportive housing.
The complex was developed and is managed by NAC, and participants have to comply with standard lease agreements. Valley of the Sun United Way partnered with NAC to provide supportive services that help participants maintain housing.
"Encanto Pointe is a unique project and the first of its kind in Arizona. Traditional homeless shelters, while important for the homeless population, do not provide permanent solutions but rather address immediate needs,” said Councilman Tom Simplot, District 4. “Encanto Pointe offers the chronically homeless permanent supportive housing to help them get back on their feet. The services that Encanto Pointe provides will help residents deal with the issues that have caused them to be homeless, bringing these individuals one step closer to recovery."
"The city and our community partners are facing the issue of chronic homelessness head-on to help individuals find solutions and put an end to the cycle," said Councilman Daniel T. Valenzuela, District 5, chairman of the Neighborhoods, Planning and Development, Housing and Homeless Subcommittee. "This is another great example of a public-private partnership that works for everyone."
The residents of Devonshire and Longview West neighborhoods were involved in the project from the start and are ensuring it addresses neighborhood needs.
“Ending chronic homelessness is possible and Encanto Pointe is a critical step toward this goal,” said Merl Waschler, Valley of the Sun United Way president and CEO. “Fifty-four lives will be transformed because of community donors’ generosity, cross-sector collaboration and municipal leadership that made this development a reality.”
The $10 million housing project was funded using Low Income Housing Tax Credits, private financing and other federal and city loans.
"Native American Connections sincerely appreciates the hard work and dedication of all Encanto Pointe partners,” said Diana Yazzie Devine, president and CEO, Native American Connections. "This is the first development built from the ground up that will transition nearly 60 chronically homeless individuals off the street into permanent supportive housing. This will change lives and help our vulnerable citizens realize greater stability and independence.”
NAC and the NRP Group’s development proposal was selected in response to a city Request for Proposals. They worked closely with city staff, Valley of the Sun United Way and the Corporation for Supportive Housing as partners in this project. Additional partners include the Arizona Department of Housing and the National Equity Fund.